Has Your Son Been to Hooters?

My son is a freshman at a fine boy’s high school run by the Jesuits with a strong tradition of service and athletics. He plays football, basketball, and tennis. He loves his school and, over time, I’ve grown to love it too. But last week something happened which shook me up.

I’ve written frequently about the impact of porn on our boys and how it distorts their view of women and sex. I have also written frequently about the “hook up” culture which deprives girls of the emotional connection they really want and boys the chance to grow in their capacity to experience real intimacy. I often bring these issues up at the dinner table because I want my son to know where I stand.

Last Saturday, he convinced me that he needed to go to the state hockey tournament where many of his friends would be playing for their school. I made him promise to be home for dinner. At the dinner table, I asked about the game. He said that the team had won and his friend’s dad had taken them out for lunch afterward.

Then came the words that stung me: “at Hooters!” He said it like it was funny. I was floored. What father would take another guy’s 15-year-old son to Hooters?

I didn’t approve, and I let him know. He tried to convince me that Hooters was just like any other restaurant and he’d gone just for the burger and fries. When that didn’t work, he said he regretted telling the truth. I made it clear that the truth was all I asked of him—hiding it was just as bad as a direct lie.

Is it just me? Or is it really insane that some guy took my kid to Hooters? What do you think I should do?

♦◊♦

Ryan O’Hanlon:

As a young man who went to an all-boys high school and then onto a Jesuit college, I can relate. Honestly, I’m glad I went to an all-boys school. I made close friends that I’ll have forever and got a great education. If I had to go through high school again, I’d do it the same way. But still, the atmosphere can get a bit stale. You’re surrounded by guys … all the time. Sure, you make friends with girls from other schools, but it’s not the same as interacting with them on a daily basis.

So, a 15-year-old going to Hooters isn’t really a bad thing. It’s good for a young kid to check it out and to form his own opinions about the whole thing. It’s the polar opposite of an all-boys high school, and stepping outside of that comfort zone is healthy. The first Hooters trip is a milestone in every guy’s life. It’s a stupid milestone, but it’s still a trip every guy remembers. I went junior year with some of my teammates. We ate some wings and acted like a bunch of dumb 17-year-olds. I haven’t been back since; the food is awful, and I’m just not a fan of white sneakers and tube socks. But it’s still something I remember.

Which is why it’s a tough spot. Hooters isn’t just about the food. Duh. And that’s especially true for a 15-year-old boy. So, yeah, I think a father has a reason to be upset if another dad takes his kid to Hooters without asking. But for the son, it’s harmless fun.

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It’s late for me to comment on this, but I happened across this article while doing research on a related topic. The good thing about this is that it gave you an opportunity to talk to your son about it. Your son will not come out damaged because of this. Rather, it’s a question of principle, especially when another parent makes that decision. To put things in perspective, though, I would ask the father who took the boys to Hooters where he (or his wife) would take the girls’ ringette or soccer team. Where should 15-year-old girls go to see… Read more »

I sent both my 22 yr olds to a will known award winning Catholic High School in California. The school has 99% of the kids going on to well known Colleges and Universities. They are raised to respect others and the rights of others. Hooters is not a bad place. My boys and younger kids 13 and 10 have been there for a family birthday for my father-in-law. The girls don’t all have over sizes boobs , nor can you see them. My boys are both doing well, have college degrees and respect their girlfriends. Hooters did not distort them… Read more »

Tom is right. Adults are probably alright. But it’s not for children. I have seen two Lesbian Hooters waitresses physically, sexually harass a straight Hooters waitress. A Hooters waitress once put my computer on her back facebook pages where she was photgraphed naked. I have seen Hooters waitresses molested and management did nothing. The only two women I have ever known to be whores, yes, actual prostitutes, were Hooters waitresses (in costume and working while making this known to me). Consider a Hooters Corporate Trainer in the Jarman Gray case. There a Corporate Trainer encouraged the waitresses to perform sex… Read more »

this is hilarious! i think he’s just frustrated that HE didn’t get to go! women and boobs are not something to be feared, sir. they’re in shorts and tanks, not g-strings and pasties! if you lived in florida, he would see this on the beach from infancy.

Honestly, I see nothing wrong with Hooters. The first time I went there was when I was 2 and I go there all of the time. My son’s baseball team goes there all of the time. It isn’t a strip club, it is just a restaurant with females as waitresses. The boys enjoy themselves a lot, and they have god food. So what if the Hooters girls show a little cleavage?

I took my son to Hooters when he was 5. We were meeting another dad and his son for lunch and apparently it was their usual spot. I must admit that I was a bit hesitant, but we went. It was basically the same as Chilli’s but with a NASCAR theme (which is probably the real reason I don’t ever go there). Once I walked in I couldn’t figure out what the hoopla (hootla?) was about. It was much tamer than I had been led to believe. Still, my kid was five and not looking at the staff the same… Read more »

I have taken my family to Hooters many times, and it is often at my wife’s suggestion. I feel it is no big deal, it is to me and my family just another restaurant. With that said, if I thought that another parent would not want their child to go, I wouldn’t take them.

Also, I feel that the comparison of Hooters to pornography is unfair. Have you ever actually been to Hooters?

I see more skin and sex-sells-thinking on the banner ad at the top of this page (add for a hotel chain) than I see at Hooters. And Rufus is right–you are mad because the other guy chose something you wouldn’t have and took your child along. Be thankful for the conversation you got to have with your boy as a result.

This is not about Hooters, feminizing boys, prudish values, morality or any of that. This is about one man pissing on another turf. It is about one man being betrayed by another whom he was forced to trust. All that other stuff is just want we say in polite company or in the company of women and children to make use appear more temperate and civilized.

Hang on a minute. I think even Tom is missing the point here. This isn’t about Hooters. This isn’t about the loss of innocence of his son. It’s not about whether or not Hooters is age appropriate or about the various levels of morality of other men. This is about Tom realizing that he can’t control everything in his son’s life. And that is a scary realization to make. Tom, you’re a lot like me. You love your son and you want to be the primary male influence on him. You hope to guide him and influence him to be… Read more »

I don’t think Tom’s opinion has anything to do with being prudish. It’s Hooters. It’s a bit insincere to pretend it’s an education in reality or respect for women. While I don’t think Hooters is as degrading as some other male outlets for female entertainment, I wouldn’t go so far to say it’s completely innocent either. If men want their son’s to be open about their sexuality, they’re going to have a better shot at bringing them to a museum and discussing nudes of females then they are of Hooters and ogling breasts. But this would be a less salacious… Read more »

Hi Tom, I think you have every right to be somewhat upset. The parent who took these boys to Hooters was by default representing the schools (doesn’t matter if it is private or public) and/or teams. Not appropriate and bad (not egregious) judgment. Harmful—probably not. But, not harmless either. Someone entrusted this parent to look after the boys. I suspect due to some insecurity he was trying to show the kids just how cool he was. An adult arranging this outing puts a rubber stamp of approval on such things- not his job- that is for a parent to decide.… Read more »

Its good you told your son what you thought of it now it’s time to call his friend’s dad and tell him. It seems the best thing about your story is that your son told you something he probably knew would illicit a response from you. The trick is to really reward him for that kind of trust.

Yes, I would be upset too! As the child’s father, I would be the one wanting to show my son what a “real” woman looks like…and it’s certainly not those top-heavy, poor excuses for “sexy” that call themselves serving you food.

From a business perspective, I think the whole Hooters concept is brilliant…being that sex sells and all. But, as a man and a father that’s totally anti-Hollywood and Entertainment Weekly, the idea stinks! They are totally distorting the image of a “woman”.

A very good conversation. I for one am in the camp of no harm no foul. With that being said, your son was honest with you and that’s the most important thing here. If he had felt compelled to hide where he went to lunch, then I would be wondering why?

The father who took the 15 y/o boys to Hooters probably should have known he’d be opening himself up to criticism by doing so; if he didn’t he’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer. That said . . . Your son told you a very important piece of information, which you and most other readers chose to ignore – “i wish I just hadn’t told you the truth about it.” What more can be said about what the son feels about what he interprets to be a gross overreaction on his father’s part. Keep it up and you will… Read more »

Tom I think it’s fine to bring a 15 year old boy to Hooters. Please lighten up. It’s Hooters not a strip club. Ryan 1. I disagree with you. I think Hooters has excellent wings. Not the best by any stretch of the imagination but still far better than many other restaurants serving wings in my city. 2. When you say “Which is why it’s a tough spot. Hooters isn’t just about the food. Duh.” First of all I still don’t see why it is a tough spot. I agree that it isn’t just about the food. Just like my… Read more »

I think in America you guys are too conservative when it comes to the human form. The more you try to “forbid” breasts, the more guys will want to see them. Go to PNG for a week where many tribes walk around topless and very soon you will be bored of women’s breasts.

Yes, it’s you. Overprotecting your son like this is going to backfire on you. Have you ever been to Hooters? It’s harmless. Your son is staring at his female teacher’s breasts all day long, and while I’m sure they are not pushed up as high as a waitress’, it’s not that different. The father who took them is probably not the brightest but you are building a story in your head that doesn’t need to be filling your day. Gotta let you kid experience stuff Tom. After all, he didn’t take them to a strip club – now that’s a… Read more »

It’s curious how no man answered Henry’s question about how you guys would feel if your high school age daughter wanted to work at Hooter’s.
My dad would have tried to stop me at all costs – physically, if necessary.

Good thoughts, Tom. I don’t think Hooters is all that more damaging than Victoria’s Secret billboard or the garbage that comes out of the mouths of Jersey Shore caricatures. Not that that makes it any better. “I have also written frequently about the “hook up” culture which deprives girls of the emotional connection they really want and boys the chance to grow in their capacity to experience real intimacy.” I also just wanted to note, as a girl who has grown-up in hook-up culture, that I don’t think it’s quite as clear-cut as this. I can’t speak for all girls,… Read more »

I’m glad someone pointed this out, that women’s desire isn’t all about just one thing. Yes, his son needs to know that an intimate relationship is great and it’s something many women want, but he also needs to know that sometimes women may have sex with him who are NOT looking for a long-term relationship. Both sons and daughters need to know that just because someone has sex with you does not mean that he or she loves you. His son needs to know how to communicate well and know himself well so that there’s no misunderstanding about that.

My bad Emily. I am speaking from the experience of raising a now 17 year old daughter who has struggled through a school experience where basically no one believed in monogamy which I think was hard for her and hard to watch as a dad. But I didn’t mean to diminish the female sex drive.

Very fair, Tom. And I’m also not a parent! So given that kids get hook-up, hook-up, hook-up, hook-up all the time from their peers and media, it’s probably a good thing if their parents overcompensate with commitment/relationship/monogamy etc!

Why the hell does the site keep refreshing? It keeps happening while I’m in the middle of typing a response which is of course lost. As I was saying while I can understand and agree with you being mad (he is your son and you are responsible for him and his actions until he reaches adulthood) I don’t think a trip to Hooters is inherently bad as a lot of people make it out to be. (There are few things that I think are actually inherently bad and Hooters just does not make that cut.) Its one thing to go… Read more »

My dad took my brother to Hooters for his 16th birthday just to embarrass him, as though breasts are something to be embarrassed by. The whole implication of going to Hooters is just appalling, in my opinion. I mean, it’s obvious that’s not the worst thing a guy can do, of course, but even the name screams that this is a place where you can eat and ogle at girls young enough to be your daughters (let’s be real. I’ve gone to Hooters twice, and the only men I see in there are old men who likely aren’t married, and… Read more »